Chapter 2384 - 2219: Reluctance

Chapter 2384: Chapter 2219: Reluctance

Everyone has a conscience, and no one is happy when leaving their own home.

Zhang Zhentian didn’t expect that this time he didn’t say anything, and it was all seen clearly by his father. It seemed like his father could see through his inner thoughts, which was incredibly terrifying. Could he not even dare to entertain a single crooked thought? But he needed to think clearly about this matter. If he really gave up his entire family because he took the wrong road, then it would be exactly as his father said: he would never have another chance to return to this family for the rest of his life.

But if he made the wrong decision this time, gave up his wife, and chose family, then his wife would leave him, never forgiving him. Why did he have to face such a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place? All he wanted was a win-win solution, where everyone would accept him staying here, treating him as part of the family.

Why was it so difficult to do this? Why was it so hard to get what he wanted, to achieve his heart’s desire? If someone else were faced with the choice between their beloved woman and the family they owe so much to, what would they choose?

"Dad, I have to admit I’ve thought about this, but hearing you say this now, I feel truly conflicted inside. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid you and my wife won’t be able to get along. I’m afraid you’ll keep challenging her repeatedly. I don’t want her to feel wronged. I just want to see her happy, radiant smile. For years, she has wanted to return to this family, to be by your side.

Her longing for everyone in this family is no less than mine. In contrast, I have done many things to make you sad and cry. But she is innocent, no matter how stubborn she was or how biased her actions may have been. She is always my wife, a part of this family. We should choose to accept her, forgive her, understand her, shouldn’t we?

From the beginning, I’ve known that family harmony leads to success. But ultimately, we’ve hurt you repeatedly, causing you to form opinions about us and prejudices that persist to this day with no way to dispel them. We too understand that we’ve brought this upon ourselves, it’s our own doing. We can’t blame anyone. But we also want to return to this family peacefully. We don’t want to keep wandering outside. No one comes back home just to keep wandering again. That’s not the conclusion anyone wants!"

"We’re not trying to challenge her. We just want to know if your return to this family is genuine. Is it not acceptable for her, too? If your return is insincere and you hurt us again, how are we supposed to cope then? Are we supposed to endure being hurt by you repeatedly inside here, without even the basic self-protection measures?

You’re my son, can you not think more when you speak and act? How did I end up with such a thoughtless son like you? How should I answer you for the things you’re saying? She is my daughter-in-law, and no matter what, I’ll prioritize her interests. I’ll include her in my considerations. But you, today, did not treat me as your father with these words. If she finds out, how do you think she would feel?

If you came to say these things to me on your own, I can understand. But if she asked you to tell me this, then no matter the circumstances, I will once again not hesitate to drive you both out of this home. I’m not a philanthropist. I cannot cater to you endlessly. The consequences of your actions ultimately need to be borne by you. No matter how unsatisfactory the recent years have been for you, so what? It’s all self-inflicted, isn’t it? It’s not something I personally imposed on you, making your life painful and unbearable.

If you’ve made mistakes, don’t blame others. Look for the reasons within yourself. Was it really your mistake? If it wasn’t, then maybe the problem lies with others. In any situation, always look for the cause within yourself before blaming others. Blaming others is not something a true man should do."

"Dad, I’m sorry. Today’s issue was my mistake. I was too anxious. I don’t want to be driven out of the house again, nor do I want my wife to leave me. That’s why I said these things to you. Actually, these words were my own and have nothing to do with my wife. She didn’t know about them, and I didn’t plan to tell her. She didn’t ask me to say these things to you.

I’ve seen too much of the joys and sorrows. I just want everyone to be able to live harmoniously together. Over the years, what we’ve each pursued has been the same: we hope our family can be by our side, to reunite, to sit together and have a family meal during holidays, rather than being in different territories.

I’m not someone who acts without a conscience. I have feelings, and I’m a living person. I understand emotions and desires. I know how important my feelings are. I just don’t want my family to repeatedly put me in difficult positions, forcing me to make choices between my wife and family.

You are the family I’ve owed for years, but she is the wife who has accompanied me for many years. How could I abandon my wife of so many years to make up for you? But on the other hand, how could I heartlessly abandon you for the wife who has been by my side for many years? In this way, I would only end up caught in the middle, attacked from both sides, ultimately becoming someone who cannot fit in either side. No matter how I choose, it would be wrong, because I will hurt one side no matter which I choose. The only win-win solution I can think of is for you to get along harmoniously, without putting me in the middle. I just want everyone to live peacefully, not making needless sacrifices, sacrificing one side’s happiness to satisfy the other is not a sustainable plan. Will that really make a family last? No, it won’t!"

Sometimes, the reluctance in one’s heart is only known to oneself!